Folger Shakespeare Library and National Postal Museum

On Saturday Davide and I ventured out into the nations capitol for some experiential education. We first graced the doors of the Folger Shakespeare Library, nestled behind the Library of Congress. We quickly joined a tour and found the rich history of the Folger Shakespeare Library to be quite interesting. Mr. Folger came to be the president of Standard Oil where he found great wealth. Instead of decorating the hills with picturesque mansions and vacation homes, he and his wife collected rare literary works. Of those being the first folio of William Shakespeare's plays to ever be composed. To study at this library you must be a scholar or author with respected credentials. Unfortunately, Mr. Folger was never able to see the grandeur of his life's work (of which he oversaw every detail), the Folger Shakespeare Library. From there we walked over to the National Postal Museum adjacent to Union Station. While at the Museum I couldn't help but think about those who are outraged by the purposed legislation that would eliminate mail service on Saturdays and how far this country's mail service has come. The first mail carriers would use Indian trails to navigate from town to town notching trees to pave the way for others. Now "snail mail" as we call it is being overrun by technological advances in virtually instant communication and endless information transfer capabilities. The future of our nation's postal service may be in jeopardy but I'm thankful that the past is preserved.

~JJB and Davide